Pattern-selecting device for looms



F. SCHRAEGLE PATTERNSELECTING DEVICE FOR LOOMS Jan. 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27, 1957 INVENTOR. Fr/fz Schraeg/e A T TOE/V675 I in a prescribed order.

United States Patent PATTERN-SELECTING DEVICE. FOR LDOMS Fritz Schraegle, Bensheim, Bergstrasse, Germany Application JIme'ZI, 1957, Serial No..668,384

. -.ClalIns priority, application Germany February 26, 1955 3 Claims. (Cl. 139-30) invention relates to a pattern-selecting device .for

looms, and more particularly, to a 'weaving .device'in which the reciprocationof an automatic pattern-selecting .meOhanism-is operated by pedal arrangement. This is a .eontinuation-in-part application of my copending application, Serial No. 539,249, filed October 7, 1955, now abandoned.

In known loom construction, particularly in .the'floor looms or weavingmachines, the setting of a pattern in the harness, the pedaling out of the sequence of the pattern is accomplished byspring-loaded pedals. The usual spring-loaded pedal arrangement does not .pro-

vide the evenness of operation of the pattern-selecting mechanism, as is required for a smoothly operated loom. In the harnessing of a loom, there is required considera- ;ble specialized knowledge in regard to efiecting the proper tie-up. Also, intricate knowledge is required to aaet up the desired pattern. Beforea loom can :be placed in operation, work such as threading or draw-in must be arranged properly and the tie-up effected according to .the pattern selected. The weaving of the pattern or design after the patterns are tied up requires the operation of a number of spring-loadedfoot-pedals operated This makes handweaving a difficult task requiring a high degree of skill and coordinated .efiort.

In order to overcome these difficulties in ;the art of weaving, this invention contemplates a weaving device in which a pedal is used to effect the .actuation .of an automatic pattern-selecting device so as to operate and control the pattern during the weaving operation. This arrangement eliminates the need for a complicated'pedal -mechanism and balancing spring action, and effects the simplification of the handweaving loom making the pattern selection automatic.

The object of this invention is to provide an ;-auto- -matic handweaving device in which the actuation of a pattern selecting device is under control of the operator at all times during the weaving operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic handweaving device in which pattern .selection is accomplished by a pedal arrangement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide .a pedal arrangement for controlling actuation of the heddle frames automatically in accordance with a set pattern.

Another .object of the invention is to provide for the indexing of a pattern block selecting mechanism to present a set pattern during each stroke of the weavingoperation bya spring-loaded pedal arrangement.

These and other objects will become apparent on examination of the drawings, description and claims.

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs by reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred form a of :the invention and modifications thereof have been .illuskated.

In the figures:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the automatic hand- 2,920,657 Patented Jan. .12, -1960 "ice weaving loom showing the position of the pedal vment for actuating-the pattern-selecting mechanism Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic handweaving-loom showing the indexing'pattern block in indexed position and the mechanism for raising the heddle frames,

Figure 3 is a front elevational view showing the indexing pattern block mechanism having a spiral track for indexing the block,

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the indexing pattern block mechanism having a spiral track'for indexing the block,

Figure 5 is a plane view taken on line 55 of Figure 4 showing an alternate form of the indexing pattern block mechanism having a spiral track for indexing the block,

.loom is a cloth beam roller '14 carrying the cloth beam -15.formed during the weaving operation. In the center of the loom is a harness chest 16 holding a group 'of four circular disposed heddle frames 17 in slots 18. The heddle frames 17 are capable of operating in a vertical manner in the slots. At the bottom of each heddle frame 17 is a curved notched portion 19 adapted to receive a curved boss 20 adapted to the end of a heddle shaft 21. Each heddle shaft 21 is pivotally mounted at its center on a pivot pin 22. The opposite end of the heddle shaft 21 extends beyond the right-hand side'of the harness chest 16. A number of heddle shafts in position forms a series of levers which operate corresponding heddle frames arranged in the harness chest to form the desired shed. At the bottom portion of the harness chest is a horizontal cross-beam 23. At the left-hand side of the harness chest 16 the side portion extends downwardly below cross-beam 23. The extend-ing portion is a bifurcated member 24. Pivotally mounted at an end portion in bifurcated member 24 is an indexing mechanism pivot lever 25 held in position by pivot pin 26. The other end of lever 25 extends beyond the right side of the loom and has mounted thereto a vertical connecting link 29, which is free to pivot on a pivot pin 30 at said other end portion of lever 25. This arrangement provides a pivot lever which effects a lowering of vertical link 29. Extending outwardly from the rear right leg 31 of the loom frame 11 is pedal 32. Pedal 32 is operatively connected to the leg by pin '33. The face of pedal 32 defines a vhole 34 at a distance nearer to the extended end of the pedal. The pedal is disposed under the right-hand portion of lever 25. Hole 34 is in line with hole 35 and has a cord 36 vertically disposed therebetween to operatively connect the pedal with lever 25.

This arrangement provides a means by which the vertical lever is moved downwardly when pedal 32 is moved in a downward direction.

In .order to facilitate the upward movement of the vertical lever, a helical spring 37 is provided which is appurtenant the underportion of pattern-selecting mechanism '38 and its supporting bracket 39. This arrangement provides a means by which the vertical .lever is moved upwardly when pedal 32 is released.

Now referring to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, reference numeral 38 designates, generally, a pattern-selecting nism rides.

Centrally mounted on vertical shaft 42 is an indexing pattern block 43 free to rotate and move vertically thereon. The indexing block 43 has four vertical'sides or faces 44 of equal length. Each side has four notches 45 evenly spaced in the lower part of the face and extending inwardly into the bottom of the block. Mounted in each notch is a swingable finger 46 which pivots about a pivot pin from a downwardly extending, vertical position to a horizontally extended position with respect to the face in which the finger is mounted. By this arrangement, any one of the four fingers in each face can be placed in a horizontal position, thereby presenting a pattern arrangement in each face of the indexing block.

Each quarter turn of the block brings the desired pattern selection in the form of horizontally disposed fingers, as the block is indexed about shaft 42. The fingers are so fitted that the sides of each finger frictionally bind on the side of the notch in which it is mounted so that the fingers are retained in a horizontal position after setting. It will be appreciated, however, that any form of detent or catch means may be employed to hold the finger in a horizontal position and still permit movement from one position to the other; such means may be a removable, horizontally fitted pin which, when inserted, projects horizontally from the face or other like mechanisms. I

The indexing block 43 is rotatably mounted on a cylindrical hub 51 centrally located around shaft 42. Hub

section 51 has oppositely disposed, horizontally extending pins 52 which connect with links 29 (see Figure 1). This arrangement provides the connecting link between the traverse lever operated by the foot pedal mechanism and helical spring to effect the vertical reciprocation of the pattern-selecting mechanism.

Shaft 42 is grooved to form guide tracks 55, generally. The shaft has two grooved tracks 56 having a constant depth and being 180 apart running longitudinally along a major portion of the shaft 42. Additionally, the shaft has two grooved tracks 57 having a decreasing depth at a point and being 180 apart and 90 from tracks 56. Tracks 57 are also longitudinal along a major portion of the shaft 42. Tracks 56 communicate with tracks 57 by means of upwardly slanting grooved tracks having camlike configurations. Figure 3 illustrates one of two grooved tracks 58 which communicates one of the constant depth tracks 56 with one of the tracks 57. It is seen that track 58 communicates with track 56 at a point somewhat above the indexing block 43 when the block is at substantially its lowest position. Track 58 slants upwardly, leftward, in an arcuate manner to communicate with track 57 at a point near the upper end portion of shaft 42. Figure 4 illustrates one of the grooved tracks 59 which communicates track 57 with constant depth track 56. Track 57 has a depth identical to the depth of track 56 except at point 60 and the region directly above. Following the track in a downward direction towards point 60 the grooved track becomes more shallow until at point 60 the groove is almost nonexistent. Directly below point 60 the track is again the usual depth and remains constant thereafter. At substantially point 60 track 59 communicates with track 57. Track 59 slants upwardly, leftward, in an arcuate manner to communicate with track 56 at a point near the upper end position of shaft 42. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that this arrangement eflects a switching of an object riding track 57.

The above disclosed tracks provide guides for the indexing block 43. Block 43 has mounted, within the inner periphery of the portion in slidable contact with shaft 42, dog-pins 61 and 62. The dog-pins are urged outwardly by suitable springs. The dog-pins are in perpendicular relationship to each other and are of suitable size to travel in the tracks provided. It is seen, that due to their being perpendicular to one another, one dogpin rides in track 56 when the other rides in track 57. Additionally, since the slanting tracks are also equi-distant one dog-pin will ride in one of the tracks 58 while the other rides in one of the other slanted tracks 59.

The indexing pattern block 43 is maintained after each indexing in a position so that one face of the block is parallel to the side of the loom frame during the lower portion of its travel. Upward motion of the indexing block causes dog-pins to ride in either track 56 or 57 depending upon their initial position. The dog-pin travelling in track 82 is prevented from continuing in a vertical direction at point 60. The dog-pin is forced to ride track 59 which rotates the indexing block. The other dog-pin follows and follows track 58. When the dog-pins have completed their ride through the slanted set pattern arrangement.

tracks the indexing block has been rotated through and has reached the uppermost limit of its vertical ascent. As the indexing block is lowered the dog-pins ride the vertical tracks. The dog-pin riding in track 57, towards point 60, is compressed into the indexing block against its spring. Figure 6 being a cross-section of the indexing block 43 and shaft 42 when at position 6--6 of Figure 4, shows dog-pin 62 being compressed into the indexing block by face 63 of track 57. When the indexing block is lowered to a position so that the dog-pin is below point 60, the dog-pin springs out again to ride in track 57, which, again, has its usual depth.

Thus, there is provided an indexing mechanism which effects the turning of a block through one-quarter of a revolution to present in sequence horizontal fingers extending toward the side of the loom according to a set pattern arrangement. It is seen that each reciprocation provides a new face of the indexing block carrying the extending fingers.

It will be appreciated that, although the pattern-selecting mechanism illustrated shows a square indexing block any polygonal block having equal sides may be used with a corresponding number of heddle shafts to effect the automatic pattern selection during the weaving operation.

Positioned in the middle of the frame of the loom is a harness-chest 16 having a series of vertically aligned slots 18 oppositely arranged on each side of the loom. Slidably mounted in slots 18 is a series of four parallel heddle frames 17 lying adjacent to each other in a vertical position (see Figure 1). The bottom of each heddle frame has a centrally located circular cavity 19 adapted to receive circular boss 20 forming one end of heddle shaft 21. Each heddle shaft is pivotally mounted at the center of the shaft portion on a pivot pin 22 which is secured to the frame of the loom. The other ends of the heddle shafts extend beyond the side of the loom frame between brackets 39 and 40 and in vertical alignment with and positioned directly under the fingers 46 of the face of the indexing block lying parallel to the side of the loom. Each heddle shaft is operatively connected to one heddle frame through the circular boss 20 so that pivotal movement of any group of the heddle shafts produces the raising and lowering of the operatively connected heddle frame. The protruding ends of the heddle shafts between brackets 39 and 40 are raised in accordance with the pattern arrangement present on each face of the indexing pattern block by the fingers which are extended horizontally in accordance with a Each downward movement of the block causes the extended fingers to engage the corresponding ends of the heddle shaft, thereby raising the corresponding heddle frame to form the desired shed.

In the practice of this invention the loom is set up in the usual manner for accepting the shuttle when the heddles are raised to form the shed. The indexing mechanism is adjusted so that a particular pattern may be woven. This is done by bringing the fingers of the indexing block into horizontally extending positions. It is seen that in order to raise the desired heddles the foot pedal must be deflected downwardly. Through link 29 the appropriate fingers of the indexing mechanism press downwardly on the appropriate heddle shafts which pivot on pin 22 while boss 20 rides in notch 19 to raise the appropriate heddle. weaving action is instituted and completed. The pedal is then released. The helical spring 37 appurtenant hub 51 and bracket '39 raises the indexing mechanism so that the caming means disclosed may rotate the indexing block presenting a different pattern.

When a certain amount of weaving has been accomplished and the edge of the woven material forming the cloth beam begins to get too close to the harness frame and the shed becomes too narrow for the proper casting of the shuttle, when this occurs the warp must be taken up. Enough woven material should be taken up so that the edge of the weaving is about 3 or 3% inches from the breast beam. The mechanism for winding may be of any conventional type.

Also during the weaving process the edge of the woven material which has a tendency to draw towards the center can be stretched by the use of a width maintainer in a well-known conventional manner. The width maintainer may be connected to the beater so that the actuation of the beater will perform the necessary stretching of the material in the cloth beam.

The loom of this invention operates silently and efiiciently in that pattern indexing is made rapidly and automatically. Thus, there is effected a handweaving apparatus in which the individual operations are accomplished with greater smoothness than was heretofore possible.

It will be apparent that many changes and modifications of the several features of the device described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that. the foregoing description is by way of illustration of the invention rather than limitation upon the invention.

4 What is claimed is:

1. In a loom device having a pattern-selecting mecha- When the shed is formed the usual mounted to urge said block in the opposite direction along said shaft, guide means provided along said shaft whereby to rotate said block as it moves in said opposite direction resulting in moving another selected pattern into position.

2. The loom device having a pattern selecting mechanism of claim 1 wherein the guide means comprises guide tracks along a substantial portion of said shaft, pin means mounted in said block positioned to travel in said guide tracks whereby to rotate said block as it moves in one direction.

3. The loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism of claim 1 wherein the guide means comprises four equi-distant longitudinal grooved guide tracks on said shaft, four equi-distant oblique grooved guide tracks in the same plane on said shaft disposed to communicate said longitudinal tracks, two oppositely disposed tracks being of constant depth, the other two oppositely disposed tracks being of diminishing depth from the end portion of the shaft towards the position at which the oblique tracks communicate, thereafter having depth identical to other tracks, pin means mounted in said block positioned to travel in said guide tracks whereby to rotate said block as it moves in the direction away from the heddle shafts and to move it without rotation as it moves in the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 52,161 Gordon et al Jan. 23, 1866 57,226 Walker et al Aug. 14, 1866 663,357 Newcomb Dec. 4, 1900 2,696,838 Purrington Dec. 14, 1954 2,815,772 Bejeuhr Dec. 10, 1957 

